Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2016
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Page: A15
Copyright: 2016 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Tony Blais

PARENTS SUE OVER SON'S DRUG DEATH IN PRISON

The parents of an Edmonton Institution inmate who died of a fentanyl 
overdose have launched a $295,000 lawsuit against the Correctional 
Service of Canada.

In a statement of claim filed July 14, John and Debilyn Witvoet 
allege the federal agency responsible for Canadian prisons was 
negligent in the Aug. 20, 2015, death of Ryan William Witvoet, 31.

The Witvoets allege the correctional service failed to protect their 
son, who had drug-addiction issues, from access to illegal drugs 
within the maximum-security prison in north Edmonton.

As well, the Witvoets allege the service negligently failed to 
provide drugs to counteract the effects of fentanyl, a highly toxic 
painkiller responsible for 274 deaths in Alberta in 2015, when the 
agency knew or ought to have known that there were other previously 
reported fentanyl overdoses within the prison.

The statement of claim says Witvoet was found unresponsive in his 
cell early in the morning and he died at Royal Alexandra Hospital at 11:10 p.m.

The Witvoets are seeking $100,000 in punitive damages, $100,000 for 
the violation of their charter rights, $82,000 for bereavement 
damages and $13,000 for funeral-related expenses.

A statement of defence has not yet been filed.

Statements of claim and statements of defence contain allegations 
which have not been proven.

At the time of the death, prison officials said Witvoet was the 
fourth inmate to overdose that week, prompting a lockdown and search 
for narcotics.

Two of the inmates who were hospitalized recovered while another 
suffered health complications.

Witvoet, a Calgary man who grew up in Ponoka, had been serving a 
six-year sentence after being convicted in 2012 of charges including 
possession of property obtained by crime, careless use of a firearm 
and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Following his death, Witvoet's grandfather told Postmedia that bad 
choices were responsible for derailing his grandson's life

"I don't blame anybody, I blame him for making those choices," Jerry 
Witvoet said from his home in Ponoka.

He described Witvoet as a regular small-town boy who loved fishing 
and riding quads around his hometown, and as a bright young student 
who had no trouble staying on top of his school work.

"He had everything when he grew up that he needed, plus, but that 
apparently wasn't good enough."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom